System and Method for Authorization and Disclosure for Background Information Searches

ABSTRACT

A system and automated method for verification of employment history regarding a job applicant, the method including receiving information identifying an applicant, receiving employment history information for the job applicant, receiving information identifying an identified verification contact for verification of the employment history information, automatically providing the identified verification contact with a question pertaining to employment history information, receiving an answer from the identified verification contact, storing the answer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 61/138,120 and 61/170,514, filed Dec. 16, 2008 and Apr. 17, 2009, respectively, herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to information sharing systems and more specifically Internet based employment opportunity and resume listing systems and computerized personal background information search systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There exist methods for providing interactive websites listing available employment opportunities and storing prospective employee resume and contact information. These prior methods are limited because they do not adequately filter prospective applicants and result in employers receiving a large pool of applicants not optimally matched to the listed opportunity. These prior methods are also limited because highly qualified applicants are indistinguishable within the automated part of the employment screening process from those applicants who misrepresent their background and qualifications.

There also exist methods for performing personal background information search and verification services. These methods involve varying levels of automation, however, they are limited by the lack of security and inefficiency in their manual authorization and data sharing components. In particular, existing automated methods do not include a way to provide a requestor with verified personal background information search results while maintaining secrecy about the target individual's highly sensitive personal information such as social security number and date of birth. Existing automated methods also fail to provide tools for the secure and efficient reuse and sharing of previously purchased background information reports.

There also exist methods for manual verification of employment, educational history, personal references or other information that may not be available from commercial data providers. These methods are time consuming and fail to provide control or transparency to a prospective employee.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a software component system and method for more accurate matching of applicants to jobs and more effective and efficient filtering of applicants for requisite qualifications, as well as a system and a method for simplifying, coordinating, and minimizing the risk associated with requesting, sharing, and providing verified personal background information.

Some embodiments of the present invention include interaction between an Internet job board, an employer portal, a member portal, and a data (or background search) portal. In many embodiments, the system receives information from Internet job boards when applicants respond to an employment opportunity listed there. The system then tracks and displays applicant information providing the current status of each application for employers, and automatically communicates with applicants to gain their authorization to perform background checks. In some embodiments, part or all of the application tracking may be performed through a third-party applicant tracking system. As a result, background checking (or preverification) and initial applicant willingness screening can be performed before an employer invests time, energy, and money in the manual screening process.

Some embodiments of the present invention include systems for automated employment history, education history, or personal reference verification. In these embodiments, members or prospective applicants provide information about their employment or education history and also identify verification contacts who can be contacted to verify the accuracy of the information the member or prospective applicant has provided. The verification contacts may then be automatically contacted by email, text message, telephone, or other automated means and requested to fill out a form to verify particular information. When a verification contact submits a verification form back to the system, the prospective employer and the prospective applicant are notified. These embodiments may also include the ability for the prospective applicant or the system to automatically follow-up with the verification contact if no response is received.

An embodiment of the present invention provides an automated method for verification of employment history regarding a job applicant, the method including receiving information identifying an applicant, receiving employment history information for the job applicant, receiving information identifying a contact for verification of the employment history information, automatically providing identified verification contact with a question pertaining to employment history information, receiving an answer from an identified verification contact and storing the answer.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides an automated method for minimizing human review of employment applications from a pool of applicants, the method including receiving employment application information, providing an automated request to an applicant for authorization to process the application, receiving a response to the request for authorization, narrowing the pool of applicants to those who have provided a response.

Some embodiments of the present invention include interaction between members and other members or users in which a first individual who is interested in learning about the background of a second individual sends a request through the system asking the second individual to sign up and purchase a particular preverification report (or background check) and share it with the first individual. The system manages these requests and the permission process, providing tools for the second individual to purchase the preverification report, automatically coordinating the order and delivery process with a data provider, and providing tools for the second individual to authorize the first individual to review the preverification report.

An embodiment of the present invention provides an automated method for the preverification of individual personal information, the method including providing a computer interface for use by a first individual to receive personal information pertaining to a second individual over a network, providing a computer interface for use by a second individual to provide personal information over a network, providing a computer interface for use by data vendors to provide personal information pertaining to a second individual over a network.

In another embodiment the invention relates to an automated system for researching or sharing personal information including: a network interface; a member database accessed through a network interface by the member, the employer, or the data provider and storing member information; and an employer database accessed through the network interface by the employer, the member, or the data provider and storing employer information; and a background search request database accessed through the network interface by the data provider and storing orders for preverification reports; and an auxiliary information database accessed through the network interface by the member, the employer, or the data provider and storing system or other information; and a server coupled to the member database, employer database, background search request database, and auxiliary information database wherein the server is configured to provide a computer interface for use by a first individual to receive personal information pertaining to a second individual over a network, provide a computer interface for use by a second individual to provide personal information over a network, and provide a computer interface for use by data vendors to provide personal information pertaining to a second individual over a network.

In another embodiment the invention relates to a server for an automated personal information research or sharing system, the server including: a processor; and memory operably coupled to the processor storing program instructions therein, the processor being operable to execute the program instructions, the program instructions including: providing a computer interface for use by a first individual to receive personal information pertaining to a second individual over a network; providing a computer interface for use by a second individual to provide personal information over a network; providing a computer interface for use by data vendors to provide personal information pertaining to a second individual over a network.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a verification system constructed according to an embodiment of the present invention for integrating the automated authorization and disclosure of personal background information searches with the automated management of an employment matching and screening process according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the interaction between the databases and web portals according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram and flow diagram depicting an expected interaction between members, employers, and data providers within the system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a flow chart illustrating the member authentication and account creation process according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a schematic block diagram illustrating the navigation options of an unauthenticated user within the system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4C is an illustration of information presented to an unauthenticated user on the member landing page according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4D is an illustration of a sample member profile according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4E is a schematic block diagram illustrating navigation options available within the login system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4F is an illustration of an account login interface presented to an unauthenticated user who has elected to login according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4G is an illustration of an account activation message presented to a user during the account registration process according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4H is an illustration of an account activation message presented to a user upon successful completion of the account registration process according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4I is an illustration of a password retrieval interface presented to an unauthenticated user during the password retrieval process according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5A is a schematic block diagram illustrating navigation options within an authenticated member portal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5B is a flow chart illustrating a member preverification report order and management process according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5C is an illustration of a preverification report order and management interface within an authenticated member portal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5D is an illustration of information presented to an authenticated member during a preverification report order process according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5E is an illustration of an order confirmation presented to an authenticated member during a preverification report order process according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5F is an illustration of information in an education history preverification report as presented to a user according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5G is an illustration of information in an employment history preverification report as presented to a user according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5H is an illustration of information in a credit report preverification report as presented to a user according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5I is an illustration of information in a driving record preverification report as presented to a user according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5J is an illustration of information in an address history preverification report as presented to a user according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5K is a flow chart illustrating a member permissions management process according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5L is an illustration of a permission management interface within an authenticated member portal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5M is a flow chart illustrating a member rewards and offers management process according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5N is an illustration of a rewards and offer interface within an authenticated member portal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5O is an illustration of a news display system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5P is an illustration of an account management interface within an authenticated member portal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6A is a flow chart illustrating a employment verification preverification report order process according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6B is an illustration of an entry interface presented to an authenticated member during a employment verification preverification report order process according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6C is an illustration of the information in an email sent to an identified reference during a employment verification preverification report order process according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6D is an illustration of a reference survey interface presented to an identified reference during a employment verification preverification report order process according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7A is a flow chart illustrating a member search process according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7B is an illustration of information presented in response to a search for a member who does not exist within the system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7C is an illustration of information presented to an unauthorized viewer in response to a search for a member who exists with the system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7D is an illustration of information presented to a member after another member has requested that additional preverification report information be made available according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7E is a an illustration of the preverification report information interface presented to an authorized viewer according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8A is an illustration of information presented to an unauthenticated user on the employer landing page according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8B is a schematic block diagram illustrating navigation options within an authenticated employer portal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8C is a flow chart illustrating the application filtration process according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8D is an illustration of an applicant data interface within an authenticated employer portal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8E is an illustration of a direct invitation interface according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8F is an illustration of information in an email sent to applicant as part of the application filtration process according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8G is an illustration of information presented to an employer summarizing an applicant's preverification reports according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8H is an illustration of a settings management interface within an authenticated employer portal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8I is an illustration of an account management interface within an authenticated employer portal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8J is an illustration of a settings management interface within an authenticated employer portal according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8K is an illustration of a settings management interface within an authenticated employer portal according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9A is a flow chart illustrating the data provider order and fulfillment process according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9B is a schematic block diagram illustrating navigation options within an authenticated data portal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9C is an illustration of an order overview interface within an authenticated data portal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9D is an illustration of an account management system within an authenticated data portal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

The figures depict embodiments of the present invention for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the invention described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning now to the drawings, embodiments of the present invention that include interaction between an Internet job board, an employer portal, a member portal, and a data portal are shown. An employer portal receives email information submitted by applicants who respond to an employment opportunity listed on an Internet job board. This employer portal tracks and displays applicant information providing the current status of each application. One component of this functionality may be viewed as an applicant tracking system or ATS as that term has become known in the field. In some embodiments, this employer portal incorporates substantial ATS functionality for tracking application information from initial response to a job listing through the entire employment process through termination. In other embodiments, the employer portal allows employers to manage and track the application receiving and background check authorization processes. In yet another embodiment, the employer portal includes tools for defining and managing the interaction between the system and any third-party ATS.

In many embodiments the employer portal manages applications for a single job offering. In other embodiments the employer portal manages applications for more than one job offering. In some embodiments the employer portal manages application submission and/or background check authorization. In other embodiments the employer portal allows the employer to control and manage communication with a third-party ATS. In one aspect of the invention the applicant filtration process automatically narrows the field of applicants by requesting that an applicant confirm willingness to undergo various background checks and consent to particular checks. In many embodiments the applicant filtration process employs a series of email communications and website forms to implement the consent process.

In another aspect of the invention, highly sensitive applicant data such as social security number and birth date is protected because it is not disclosed to an employer during the application process. In many embodiments the sensitive data is retained by the system and provided on a need to know basis to data providers. In other embodiments the system facilitates direct communication between members and data providers and does not collect or store sensitive information.

In another aspect of the invention, members retain access to preverification reports (or particular background checks) already prepared for one purpose, for example in connection with a particular job application, for reuse with other employers or in other contexts such as online dating or educational admissions applications.

A schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the invention for integrating the automated authorization and disclosure of personal background information searches with the automated management of an employment matching and screening process is shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the system includes a member terminal 102 for member access, over a network 104 to a web server 106. Certain types of access to the web server 106 may be limited by requiring, for example, the submission of a user name and password, for security purposes. The server 106 provides access for a user to a member database 108, an employer database 110, a background search database 112, and an auxiliary information database 114.

The member database 108 stores information such as a member's first and last name and email address, a member's permission settings and associated data, a member's account information such as login, password, and any password retrieval challenge information, a member's advertising and offer preferences and history, information related to a member's order history, pending orders, payment options and additional member profile information. The employer database 110 stores information such as employer name, address, and profile information, employer job offerings, employer confirmation and consent preferences, employer account information, employer contact email information, information about applicants for employer job offerings, pending orders and payment information. The background search database 112 stores information such as orders for background information and the results of background information searches (also known as “preverification reports”), information entered by members in the preverification report order process, data provider preferences and data provider identification information and account information. The auxiliary information 114 stores additional information used in system operations such as information about advertisements and offers, advertiser preference information, news and news organization information, information related to the provision of a job board such as job listings and associated data, and data associated with employment matching and resume management services.

Further the system includes an employer terminal 116 for employer access to a member database 108, an employer database 110, a background search database 112, and an auxiliary information database 114 over a network 104 and the web server 106. The employer terminal 116 allows an employer to manage the pending applications for particular jobs, view detailed information about applicants, request preverification reports for particular applicants, view background information results for particular applicants, manage preferences and account information, and pay bills. In many embodiments of the employer terminal 116, the web server 106 accesses the auxiliary information database 114 to allow the employer to manage interaction with a third-party ATS from the employer terminal 116. In some embodiments the employer may manage the third-party ATS directly through the employer terminal 116. In some embodiments the employer terminal allows the employer to manage the direct or indirect communication between the employer database 110 and any third-party ATS.

Further the system includes an administrator terminal 118 and a data provider terminal 120 for administrator and data provider access respectively to the system databases over a network 104 and the web server 106. The administrator terminal 118 allows an administrator to manage the entire system including user authentication and tracking, to control the advertising and offer systems, to select and promote stories within the news interface, and to review and remove objectionable content posted within member profiles and the job board. The data provider terminal 120 allows a data provider to view and download orders for preverification reports, enter and submit or upload the results of preverification searches, and manage accounting information associated with payment for services.

The system also includes a data provider server 122 that contains background information data provided directly by data providers to the system via the automated preverification report order fulfillment back end.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the interaction between the databases and web portals according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, in one embodiment of the invention, the data is stored within MySQL databases 202, 204, 206 and the member portal 208, accessible through the member terminal 102 is implemented using PHP, as are the Employer portal 210, accessible through the employer terminal 116, and the data portal 212, accessible through the data provider terminal 120.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram and flow diagram depicting an expected interaction between members, employers, and data providers within the system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As FIG. 3 depicts, in one embodiment of the invention, a candidate (or applicant) 302 finds a job posted on an Internet job board 304 and submits an application through the board 306. The Internet job board 304 may be provided by a third-party such as an employer or another company that provides employment services. The system then stores applicant data within the employer database 306 [204 /110] and also initiates a consent process with the applicant as illustrated 308. An employer may use the employer portal 310 [210] to review applicant information. Part or all of the ATS component of the employer portal 310 may be provided by a third-party. An employer may select applicants for further background checking (or preverification) 312. When an employer so selects, the resulting preverification report orders are passed to the background search database 314 and results are returned to the system as they are prepared by a data provider 316. Results are also made available to the applicant through the member portal 318 [208] where they may be shared with other users 320, posted to the system job board 322 and accessed by other prospective employers 324.

FIG. 4A is a flow chart illustrating the member authentication and account creation process according to an embodiment of the present invention. As FIG. 4A depicts, the system provides access to an interface available to unauthenticated users 402 interested in accessing the member profile management interface. According to one embodiment of the invention, this access is provided through a website landing page targeted at prospective members. FIG. 4B is a schematic block diagram illustrating the navigation options of an unauthenticated user within the system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4C is an illustration of information presented to an unauthenticated user on a member landing page including marketing material promoting the site 404 and an area that allows a user to create an account or log in 406 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The unauthenticated user may also navigate from this page to view a sample member profile. FIG. 4D is an illustration of a sample member profile according to an embodiment of the present invention. Returning to FIG. 4A, the system then prompts a user to login or create an account 408, and if the user is an existing member then the user may attempt to login. FIG. 4E is a schematic block diagram illustrating navigation options available within the login system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4F is an illustration of an account login interface presented to an unauthenticated user who has elected to login according to an embodiment of the present invention. If a user attempts to login 410, but is unsuccessful, the user has the option to retrieve the correct password 412 through the password retrieval process 414. FIG. 4I is an illustration of a password retrieval interface presented to an unauthenticated user during the password retrieval process according to an embodiment of the present invention. If a user is not an existing member, the user may elect to create an account 416, this election initiates the account creation process 418. FIG. 4G is an illustration of an account activation message presented to a user during the account registration process according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4H is an illustration of an account activation message presented to a user upon successful completion of the account registration process according to an embodiment of the present invention. After successfully retrieving a password 414 or creating an account 418, the user may then attempt to login 410 and if successful, the user gains access to the authenticated member profile management interface (or portal) 420. FIG. 5A is a schematic block diagram illustrating navigation options within an authenticated member portal according to an embodiment of the present invention. Within the member profile management interface the member may select among several navigation options by selecting the “My Account” tab 422 to enter the account management process 424, or by selecting the “My Rewards” tab 426 to enter the rewards and offers management process 428, or by selecting the “My Preverify” tab 430 to enter the preverification management process 432 wherein the member may view third party requests for particular preverification reports and may elect to purchase particular preverification reports. By selecting the “My Permissions” tab 434 to enter the permission management process 436. In one embodiment of this permissions management process, a member may allow particular individuals access to their entire collection of preverification reports on a member basis. In another embodiment of this process, particular preverification reports are managed individually and access to each preverification report may be controlled at the report or preverification category level.

FIG. 5B is a flow chart illustrating a member preverification report order and management process according to an embodiment of the present invention. As FIG. 5B depicts, the system provides access to a member preverification management interface 510. FIG. 5C is an illustration of a preverification report order and management interface within an authenticated member portal that shows the display information indicating the presence of preverification report requests by third parties 512, prices for the purchase of particular preverification reports 514, an interface to allow a member to select and purchase particular preverification reports 516 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Returning to FIG. 5B, if the system has stored a preverification report request for a member 518 and the member elects to view the requests 520, the system may present information about the parties requesting access to preverification report details 522 and then prompt the member to authorize or deny access within the permission management interface 524. If the member places an order for a preverification report 526, the system presents an additional interface 528 that allows the member to enter necessary information including payment information 530. FIG. 5D is an illustration of information presented to an authenticated member during a preverification report order process according to an embodiment of the present invention. For some preverification report orders, the information that a member is required to enter is more extensive than just payment information. For example, if a member orders an educational history or employment history preverification report, the member may be required to enter additional background or reference information for verification by the data provider. FIG. 6B is an illustration of an entry interface presented to an authenticated member during a employment verification preverification report order process according to an embodiment of the present invention. Returning to FIG. 5B, if a member successfully enters an order, the system enters information into the member database and the background search database 532, it sends a confirmation of the order to the member 534, and it alerts the data provider to the presence of a new order 536. FIG. 5E is an illustration of an order confirmation presented to an authenticated member during a preverification report order process according to an embodiment of the present invention. When the data provider completes the preverification report order 538, the member and background search databases are updated 540 to reflect the presence of a complete preverification report and the contents of the preverification report. The member is alerted that the order is complete 542, and if the order was requested by another user 544, for example an employer, that requestor is also alerted to the completion of the preverification report order 546. If the member or requestor elects to view the requested preverification report the system displays the report and allow the user to print it. FIG. 5F is an illustration of information in an education history preverification report as presented to a user according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5G is an illustration of information in an employment history preverification report as presented to a user according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5H is an illustration of information in a credit report preverification report as presented to a user according to an embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen in FIG. 5H, in some embodiments of the invention, the credit report information presented to a requestor may be minimal, and may not disclose sensitive personal information such as bank account information and social security number. In other embodiments of the invention, more information is disclosed, nonetheless, some sensitive personal information never disclosed to a requestor, for example the member's social security number. FIG. 5I is an illustration of information in a driving record preverification report as presented to a user according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5J is an illustration of information in an address history preverification report as presented to a user according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5K is a flow chart illustrating a member permissions management process according to an embodiment of the present invention. As FIG. 5K depicts, the system provides a member permission management interface 548 that allows members to invite non-members to view their existing preverification reports by signing up with the system, and also allows members to manage pending requests for authorization to view that member's profile. FIG. 5L is an illustration of a permission management interface within an authenticated member portal according to an embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen from FIG. 5L, this interface presents two interactive areas, one “Invited List” area 550 that allows management of invitations, and another “Requests” area 552 that allows management of pending requests. Returning to FIG. 5K, if a member uses the features of the “Invited List” area 550 to enter an email address of an individual to invite to view the member's existing preverification reports 554, then the system updates the member database to reflect a newly invited individual associated with that particular member's record 556, the system checks to determine whether the invited individual is already a member of the system 558. If the individual is not an existing member 560, then the system sends an email invitation to the invited individual 562, and if the invitee signs up 564, then the system creates a new member profile 566. Either after the system creates a new profile 566, or in the case where the invited individual was already a member 560, the system then adds an entry to the member database reflecting the authorization for the invited member to view the inviting member's preverification reports 568. If a member has pending requests by third parties 570 for authorization to view that member's preverification reports, the member may use the features of the “Requests” area 552 which is essentially an approval tool 572. From the approval tool 572, a member may view all requests for authorization and may elect to approve 574 or deny 576 a particular request. If a request is approved 574, then notification of the approval is sent to the requestor 578, and the member database is updated to reflect the new permissions 580. If the request is denied 576, then notification of the denial is sent to the requestor 582 and the database is updated to reflect the new non-authorization 584. In the case of non-authorization, the information is stored so that it may be used to screen out an individual who makes multiple requests for authorization, and to allow a member to avoid repeated review.

FIG. 5M is a flow chart illustrating a member rewards and offers management process according to an embodiment of the present invention. As depicted in FIG. 5M, the first step in this process is the constant analysis of member attributes, history, and data 586 with an eye toward targeting proper advertisements and offers to particular members. Having identified and analyzed member information, the system then performs a matching process by comparing available offers and advertisements to the attributes of each member 588. Once the advertisements and offers are associated with each member, the system provides a targeted member rewards interface 590. FIG. 5N is an illustration of a rewards and offer interface within an authenticated member portal according to an embodiment of the present invention. As FIG. 5N shows, a member within the offer interface of an authenticated member portal is presented with a series of categories 590A that allow the member to select particular areas of interest, the member is also presented with a series of offers 590B from particular institutions. For example, as the illustrations depicts, these offers may be offers from financial institutions to open bank or brokerage accounts, or they may be credit card offers. Within this interface, a member is also presented with targeted advertisements 590C that were identified through the matching process 588 discussed above. Within this interface a member is also presented with a visual data representation 590D that indicates some information about the member and explains how this information is related to the offers presented. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 5N the information presented about the member reflects the number of preverification reports the member has purchased. In other embodiments, this visual data representation 590D may reflect information such as the average credit score of the member, or the interactivity, or loyalty, or stability score of the member. Or any other quality of the member or the member's behavior that can be described on the basis of data collected by the system. Returning to the flow chart of FIG. 5M, from the member rewards interface 590, the system presents targeted advertising 592, categories of offers 594, and preselected offers 596 to the member. If the user elects a category of offer 598 by selecting an offer presented within the category lists 590A, the system presents advertisements and offers related to that category of goods or services. If a user selects an offer 502 or advertisement 501 from the interface, either after selecting a category 598 or at the initial entry into the interface, the system opens a new area to display additional information corresponding to the selected offer 503. In some embodiments this area may be a new web browser window or tab. The system also stores a record that the member selected that offer or advertisement 504 to assist with better advertisement and offer targeting in the future.

FIG. 5P is an illustration of an account management interface within an authenticated member portal according to an embodiment of the present invention. Within this interface a member may manage information about their account such as name, email, and password. It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that, in other embodiments of the present invention, other information pertaining to a member is managed using this interface.

FIG. 5O is an illustration of a news display system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This news display system is available to authenticated and unauthenticated users of the system and contains news stories related generally to employment and verification issues.

FIG. 6A is a flow chart illustrating a employment verification preverification report order process according to an embodiment of the present invention. As FIG. 6A depicts, if a member initiates a employment verification preverification report, the system receives the request 610 and prompts the member to enter additional information pertaining to the employment verification 612. FIG. 6B shows an illustration of the type of interface presented to the member to enter employment verification contact information according to one embodiment of the invention.

If the member submits complete information to allow the system to perform the employment verification 614, the system automatically sends email messages to the contacts identified by the members. FIG. 6C is an illustration of the information in an email sent to an identified contact during a employment verification preverification report order process according to an embodiment of the present invention. As can be observed from this illustration, the identified contact individual is presented with a link to the system, which may be selected in order to complete a detailed survey. If the contact individual selects this link 618, then the system presents a survey interface to allow the contact individual to enter information about the member requesting the employment verification. FIG. 6D is an illustration of an employment verification survey interface presented to an identified contact during an employment verification preverification report process according to an embodiment of the present invention. Within the survey interface the identified contact may be presented with questions that allow him to enter both qualitative and quantitative information about the member. This information may be used in the instant hiring process, and may be stored for use in searching for candidates on a job board. For example, a verification contact may indicate that a particular member is fluent in multiple languages and this information may be stored and become available for searching within a job board. If the contact individual completes the survey 622, the system automatically sends the reference a thank you message 624 and stores the data provided within the survey process 626 in the background search 112 and member 108 databases. The system further alerts the member that the employment verification inquiry has received a response. FIG. 6A through 6D illustrate the process of automated verification of employment history. The same methodology for automated verification may be employed with respect to personal references, education history, or any other background information. This verification process may be used to replace data provided by a commercial data provider, or to supplement or confirm such data.

Several figures depict the authenticated member portal and the interfaces within this portal. For example FIGS. 5C, 5D, 5F, 5L 5N, and 5P all show a “Profile Lookup” box in the upper right corner of the illustrated screen. FIG. 7A is a flow chart illustrating a member search process that occurs when an authenticated member uses the “Profile Lookup” box to search for another member according to an embodiment of the present invention. As depicted in FIG. 7A, the system provides a member search interface 710 that receives a search query entered into the “Profile Lookup” box. The system then attempts to find a member profile 714 associated with the search query within the member database. If no profile is found, the system presents a profile not found message 716 and provides the searcher an opportunity to send an invitation to the person searched for 718. FIG. 7B is an illustration of information presented in response to a search for a member who does not exist within the system according to an embodiment of the present invention. If the searcher elects to send an invitation 718, then the system sends an invitation to the email address searched on behalf of the prospective member 720. If the search results in the system finding a member profile for the target of the search 714, then the system determines whether the searcher is already authorized to view the preverification report information of the member searched 722. If the searcher is not authorized to see the target's preverification report information, then the system presents to the searcher a limited information screen 724 that indicates that the target is a member and shows what preverification reports already exist for the target. FIG. 7C is an illustration of information presented to an unauthorized viewer in response to a search for a member who exists within the system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As this illustration shows, some information is available to the searcher, for example the details of which preverification reports have been purchased and when they were last updated, however, all of the detailed information in the preverification reports is not accessible. As this illustration also shows, the searcher is presented with a box that allows a request for permission to view to be transmitted to the searched member. Returning to FIG. 7A, if the searcher requests authorization, the system sends an email to the searched member alerting the member to the request for authorization 728. If authorization is subsequently provided 730, or if the searcher was already authorized 722 when the target was located, then the system presents the searcher with the member preverification information interface. FIG. 7E is an illustration of the preverification information interface presented to an authorized viewer according to an embodiment of the present invention. As the illustration shows, this interface allows an authorized viewer to request additional preverification reports that are not presently available within the searched member's profile by checking the “Request” select box on the right side of the illustration. If additional preverification reports are requested, the system sends an alert to the searched member taking the form of FIG. 7D, which is an illustration of information presented to a member after another member has requested that additional preverification information be made available according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As discussed above with respect to FIG. 3, a key component of the interaction within the invention is the application filtration process that is depicted to some extent in FIG. 3. FIG. 8C is a flow chart that shows the application filtration process in greater detail according to an embodiment of the present invention. As depicted in FIG. 8C, the system also provides a separate employer portal 310 that includes an application management interface 810 to allow employers to manage all of the information about all of the applicants for a particular job in one place. When an employer creates a new job listing 812, the system assigns an email address to that listing 814. That email address is used by the employer (or the employer's HR department) as the contact email for all job listings posted on Internet job boards 816. As reflected in FIG. 3, the Internet job boards may be provided by third parties outside of the system 304 or may be the job board provided within the system, identified in FIG. 3 as the “PreVerify Job Board.” 322. The use of the system assigned email address, means that when an applicant applies to a job through one of the job boards 818, and an automatic email is sent to the employer contact who listed that job, it can be received by the system of the invention 220. When the system receives this emailed applicant information, it parses the email header files and body to acquire data pertaining to the applicant and store that data in the employer database 822. This data can then be viewed by the employer through the applicant data interface within the authenticated employer portal. FIG. 8D is an illustration of an applicant data interface within an authenticated employer portal according to an embodiment of the present invention. Returning to FIG. 8C, after the applicant data has been entered into the employer database and is available for viewing through the employer portal, the application filtration process commences. The first step of the application filtration process is when the system automatically sends a confirmation email to the applicant in response to the applicant's application submission 824. FIG. 8F is an illustration of information in an email sent to applicant as part of the application filtration process according to an embodiment of the present invention. If the applicant confirms a willingness to move forward with the process 826 that the applicant has been informed may involve various levels of background checking and verification of resume details, then the system updates the applicant's status to “confirmed” within the employer database and portal 828. In the next step of the filtration process, the employer initiates the sending of a request for consent email to the applicant 830, requesting the applicant's consent to particular background searches (or the creation of preverification reports), and requesting that the applicant enter necessary information to allow those preverification reports to be obtained. For example, to perform a credit check the system may request that the applicant enter a full name, a social security number, and a date of birth. If the applicant consents to particular preverification reports and enters the necessary information 832, the system updates that applicant's status to “consented” within the employer database and portal 834. In some embodiments this “consented” status is updated in the employer database 110. In some embodiments the “consented” status is communicated through an automatic, manual, or applicant assisted process to a third-party ATS. Once an applicant has provided full consent to being preverified, the employer may review the applicant's complete information 836 to decide whether to purchase preverification reports for that applicant. At this point in the process the system allows the employer to purchase preverification reports for that applicant. If the employer elects to purchase preverification reports for that applicant 838, the applicant status in the employer database is updated to “pending” 840 and the preverification report orders are transmitted to data providers 842. When the data providers return results 844 the applicant status in the employer database and portal is updated to “preverified” 846 and notice is sent to the applicant 848 and the employer 850 that the preverification reports may be viewed within the system. FIG. 8G is an illustration of information presented to an employer or applicant summarizing an applicant's preverification data according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As the illustration of FIG. 8D shows, an employer may also send a direct invitation to a particular candidate to apply for a job within the system. To do this, an employer selects the field labeled “Send Direct Invite” in the upper right corner of the illustration of FIG. 8D. When an employer selects this option, the employer may then enter individual applicant information directly into an interface for sending direct invitations. FIG. 8E is an illustration of a direct invitation interface according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8H is an illustration of a settings management interface within an authenticated employer portal according to an embodiment of the present invention. As this illustration depicts, an employer has the option to select varying levels of consent required for it's job offerings. In this interface the employer may also define what information is to be included in the auto-response and direct invitation emails.

FIG. 8I is an illustration of an account management interface within an authenticated employer portal according to an embodiment of the present invention. As discussed above with respect to the member account management interface, this interface allows management of basic information pertaining to the user (in this case the employer) such as email and password information.

FIG. 8J is an illustration of a settings management interface within an authenticated employer portal according to another embodiment of the present invention. As this illustration depicts, an employer has the option to enter information into the settings management interface to configure communication between the system and a third-party ATS. In addition to the information depicted in FIG. 8J, it is also contemplated that an employer may enter configurations related to the direct communication of data between a system and a third-party ATS over a network.

FIG. 8K is an illustration of a settings management interface within an authenticated employer portal according to another embodiment of the present invention. As this illustration depicts, here an employer has the ability to define with specificity the conditions under which a candidate with an existing record in the system should be presented with a consent communication. This illustration also depicts a feature that allows an employer to block particular applicants based on whether they already have or do not have particular preverification reports in the system. In addition to the information depicted in FIG. 8K, it is also contemplated that the selective consent filtering and blocking tools may respond to what information has been authorized or shared by a candidate rather than what information exists.

FIG. 9A is a flow chart illustrating the data provider order and fulfillment process according to an embodiment of the present invention. As FIG. 9A depicts, when the system receives an order for a preverification report 910, the system sends an email alert to a data provider 912, the system provides an interface to allow the data provider to review and manage existing orders 914. When the data provider authenticates within the data portal, reviews the order interface, and selects an order 916, the system provides a data entry interface 918 to allow the data provider, after performing a particular background search, to enter the results into the system 920. After a data provider enters those results, the system updates the background search database 922 as well as the member and employer databases as necessary, and alerts the requestor and preverification target that the order is complete 924. FIG. 9C is an illustration of an order overview interface within an authenticated data portal according to an embodiment of the present invention. As this illustration shows, the data provider is able to download the resume information from a target and select the edit area to upload results back to the system.

FIG. 9D is an illustration of an account management system within an authenticated data portal according to an embodiment of the present invention. As discussed above this interface allows the user (in this case the data provider) to manage its personal information such as email address and password information.

Although the present invention has been described through the use of exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that various modifications may be made to the described embodiments that fall within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the claims and their equivalents appended hereto. For example, the present invention may be implemented using mobile telephone browser technology and SMS messaging instead of websites and email, it could also be implemented using any technology or system that facilitates the rapid communication of complicated information between parties. 

1-51. (canceled)
 52. An automated method for verification of employment history regarding a job applicant, the method comprising: receiving a verification initiation request from an account holder; receiving information identifying the job applicant; receiving employment history information for the job applicant, the employment history information comprising at least one employment detail; receiving information identifying an identified verification contact for verification of the employment history information; automatically providing the identified verification contact with at least one question pertaining to the at least one employment detail of the employment history information; receiving at least one answer verifying the at least one employment detail of the employment history information from the identified verification contact corresponding to the at least one question; and generating and storing in a database a verification report corresponding to a result of verifying the employment history information, the verification report comprising a verified set of data corresponding to the at least one employment detail of the employment history information, wherein the verification report is available in the database for subsequent employment applications, and wherein access to the verification report is controlled according to access information received from the account holder.
 53. The method of claim 52, wherein the received employment history information is provided by the job applicant.
 54. The method of claim 52, wherein the received employment history information is provided by an applicant tracking system.
 55. The method of claim 52, wherein the information identifying the identified verification contact is provided by the job applicant.
 56. The method of claim 52, wherein the information identifying the identified verification contact is provided by an automated verification contact lookup.
 57. The method of claim 52, wherein the received information identifies a plurality of contacts for verification of the employment history information.
 58. An automated method for verification of background information, the method comprising: receiving information identifying a first individual; receiving background information for the first individual; receiving information identifying an identified verification contact for verification of the background information; automatically providing the identified verification contact with at least one question pertaining to the background information; receiving an answer from the identified verification contact corresponding to the at least one question; verifying the background information with the answer; and generating and storing in a database a verification report corresponding to a result of verifying the background information, wherein the verification report is available in the database for sharing, wherein sharing of the verification report is controlled according to access information received from the first individual, wherein a verification request to initiate the verification of the background information of the first individual is received from the first individual, wherein a report request to receive the verification report corresponding to the first individual after the verification corresponding to the first individual has been generated and stored in the database is received from a requestor different from the first individual, and wherein the verification report corresponding to the first individual is shared with the requestor if the access information permits access to the requestor.
 59. The method of claim 58, wherein the received background information contains information about the first individual's educational history.
 60. The method of claim 58, wherein the received background information contains information about the first individual's personal references.
 61. The method of claim 58, wherein the received background information is provided by the first individual.
 62. The method of claim 58, wherein the received background information is provided by an applicant tracking system.
 63. The method of claim 58, wherein the received background information is provided by a commercial background check.
 64. The method of claim 58, wherein the information identifying the identified verification contact is provided by the first individual.
 65. The method of claim 58, wherein the information identifying the identified verification contact is provided by an automated verification contact lookup.
 66. The method of claim 58, wherein the at least one question pertaining to the background information is provided to the identified verification contact by email, and wherein the answer from the identified verification contact is received by email.
 67. The method of claim 58, wherein the question pertaining to the background information is provided to the identified verification contact on a website, and wherein the answer from the identified verification contact is received by entry through the website.
 68. The method of claim 58, wherein the received information identifies a plurality of identified verification contacts for verification of the background information.
 69. The method of claim 58, wherein the first individual is one of a plurality of verified individuals, wherein the verification report corresponding to the first individual is one of a plurality of verification reports corresponding to the verified individuals stored in the database, wherein each of the verification reports comprises a plurality of verified data points, and wherein the method further comprises: receiving a query from a second individual, searching the verification reports for data points corresponding to the query, generating a list of the verified individuals whose verification reports comprise the data points corresponding to the query, and providing the second individual with the list.
 70. The method of claim 58, wherein the first individual is a prospective employee, an online dating member, a prospective student, a prospective tenant, or a business owner, and wherein the requestor is an employer, another online dating member, a school, a landlord, or a potential customer.
 71. An automated method for research or sharing of individual personal information, the method comprising: providing a first computer interface for use by a first individual to receive verified personal information pertaining to a second individual over a network after the second individual grants the first individual access to the verified personal information; providing a second computer interface for use by the second individual to provide unverified personal information over the network and to provide access information to control access to the verified personal information; and providing a third computer interface for use by a personal information search provider to provide the verified personal information pertaining to the second individual over the network corresponding to results from a personal information search, wherein the verified personal information comprises a set of verified data.
 72. The method of claim 71, wherein the first individual is an employer, a school, an online dating member, a landlord, or a potential customer, and the second individual is a prospective employee, a prospective student, another online dating member, a prospective tenant, a business, or a merchant.
 73. The method of claim 71, wherein at least one of the first computer interface, the second computer interface, or the third computer interface is a web based computer interface.
 74. The method of claim 71, wherein the network is a public network.
 75. The method of claim 71, wherein the verified personal information is at least one of identification information, employment history, a credit report, a driving record, an address history, a criminal background check, civil records, bankruptcy records, professional license information, or regulatory sanction information.
 76. The method of claim 71, wherein the second computer interface for use by the second individual provides controls to selectively limit access to the second individual's verified personal information by others.
 77. The method of claim 71, wherein the second computer interface for use by the second individual implements a process of authorizing background research by the personal information search provider.
 78. The method of claim 71, wherein the third computer interface for use by the personal information search provider displays orders for verified information pertaining to the second individual.
 79. The method of claim 71, wherein types of verified personal information comprise identification information, employment history, a credit report, a driving record, an address history, a criminal back ground check, civil records, bankruptcy records, professional license information, or regulatory sanction information, wherein the personal information search provider is a commercial search provider that provides a search report corresponding to at least one of the types of verified personal information, wherein the method further comprises: receiving a request for at least one search report corresponding to at least one of the types of verified personal information, the request being received from the first individual or the second individual, providing the request to the commercial search provider, receiving the search report corresponding to the request, and storing the search report as at least a part of the verified personal information pertaining to the second individual.
 80. The method of claim 79, wherein the verified personal information comprises a plurality of search reports each comprising different types of verified personal information, and wherein the method further comprises, receiving access information from the second individual to selectively control access to the different types of verified personal information by the first individual.
 81. The method of claim 71, the method further comprising: receiving information identifying an identified verification contact for providing at least a portion of the verified personal information pertaining to the second individual from the second computer interface over the network; providing a fourth computer interface for use by an information verification contact over the network to: automatically provide the identified verification contact with at least one question pertaining to the unverified personal information of the second individual, and provide an answer from the identified verification contact corresponding to the at least one question; and generating at least a portion of the verified personal information pertaining to the second individual by comparing the unverified personal information to the answer.
 82. An automated system for researching or sharing personal information reports comprising: a network interface; a member database for storing member information accessed through the network interface by members or a data provider; a background search request database for storing orders for personal information reports accessed through the network interface by the data provider; an auxiliary information database for storing system management information accessed through the network interface by the members or the data provider; and a server coupled to the member database, background search request database, and auxiliary information database through the network interface, wherein the server is configured to: provide a first computer interface for use by a first member of the members to: submit a request to a second member of the members for access to a personal information report of the personal information reports pertaining to the second member; and receive the personal information report pertaining to the second member after the second member grants the first member access to the personal information report pertaining to the second member; provide a second computer interface for use by the second member to: provide unverified personal information over the network; and control access to the personal information report pertaining to the second member; and provide a third computer interface for use by the data provider to provide the personal information report pertaining to the second member over the network, wherein the member information comprises the personal information reports, wherein the orders for the personal information reports comprise requests to provide verified personal information pertaining to the second member, wherein at least one of the members can request the orders for the personal information reports, and wherein the personal information reports provided by the data provider correspond to results of background searches.
 83. The automated system of claim 82, wherein the member database is configured to be searched by the members.
 84. The automated system of claim 82, wherein the server is configured to further provide a fourth computer interface for use by a third member that is different from the first member and the second member to receive the personal information report pertaining to the second member, and wherein the third member did not request an order for the personal information report pertaining to the second member.
 85. The automated system of claim 82, wherein the server is further configured to: receive information identifying an identified verification contact for providing at least a portion of the personal information report pertaining to the second member from the second computer interface over the network; provide a fourth computer interface for use by an information verification contact over the network to: automatically provide the identified verification contact with at least one question pertaining to the unverified personal information of the second member, and provide an answer from the identified verification contact corresponding to the at least one question; and generate at least a portion of the personal information report pertaining to the second member by comparing the unverified personal information to the answer.
 86. A server for an automated personal information research or sharing system, the server comprising: a processor; and memory operably coupled to the processor for storing program instructions, the processor being operable to execute the program instructions, the program instructions including: providing a first interface for use by a first individual to receive, over a network, verified personal information pertaining to a second individual after the second individual grants the first individual access to the verified personal information pertaining to the second individual; providing a second interface for use by the second individual to: provide unverified personal information over the network; and control access to the verified personal information pertaining to the second individual; and providing a third interface for use by a personal information search provider to provide the verified personal information pertaining to the second individual over the network corresponding to results from a personal information search.
 87. The server of claim 86, wherein the program instructions further include providing the first interface for use by the first individual to submit a request to the second individual for access to the verified personal information pertaining to the second individual over the network.
 88. The server of claim 86, wherein the program instructions further include providing the second interface for use by the second individual to submit an invitation to the first individual to access to the verified personal information pertaining to the second individual over the network. 